Metal plate targets

This is a discussion on Metal plate targets within the General Firearm Discussion forums, part of the Related Topics category; The one at our range is 1/4" steel and hangs vertically, probably 100' from the shooting line.
I have heard murmurings that you might get ...

Metal plate targets

The one at our range is 1/4" steel and hangs vertically, probably 100' from the shooting line.
I have heard murmurings that you might get ricochet off that and might suffer injury. Seems unlikely but looking for your educated input on this.
Thanks again.

The one at our range is 1/4" steel and hangs vertically, probably 100' from the shooting line.
I have heard murmurings that you might get ricochet off that and might suffer injury. Seems unlikely but looking for your educated input on this.
Thanks again.

Every metal target at a range I've ever seen is very slightly tilted forward for this exact reason, it deflects incoming rounds down into the dirt. Or they have an uneven surface to deflect down if they are a hanging target.

Our private range has a 'special' range for anyone with NRA's RSO rating.
It's all steel...rotating plates, tip plates, and metal figures. We can also draw/shoot from retention. We are asked to stay at least 15 yards back...I've never had a problem.
It's interesting to shoot at multiple figures off center and hear the pings.

I'm interested in making a few simple torso/head shaped metal plates to practice on. I'd like to be able to shoot 9mm, 45acp and possibly .223 at them.
Does anybody have some good plans to build them or know of any links that would be useful?
I shot some that were made out of angle iron and the the body shape slid over the upright piece of angle iron that had a piece welded to it to stop the plate from going to the bottom. The plate leaned forward to deflect the rounds into the dirt.

We have a hanging, swinging steel plate made from 3/8" plate at my home range, and have shot it with everything from .22 rifles to 45ACP and all of the rounds, so far have been deflected straight down into the ground at the foot of the target. Everything also includes an SKS. We ofter pick up spent bullets at the base of the stand.

I'm interested in making a few simple torso/head shaped metal plates to practice on. I'd like to be able to shoot 9mm, 45acp and possibly .223 at them.

I'm not sure 223 is such a good idea, you would have to build them very heavy to handle a 223. Even at 100+ yards, a rifle will zip right through the steel and not even make it swing.

I don't know of any plans, but I'm sure Google could find you some. They are super simple to build, plans are not even really needed. Perhaps just going to a range and taking a few pictures will help you out.

There's always a possibility of a riccochet, even if highly unlikely. We have steel plates at 15 yards, and the only problem I've ever had was a tiny piece of lead bounce back off my jacket, with no problem at all. But, as mentioned, if a piece hits your eye, then it's a major problem.

I shoot steel at the range I belong to quite often, we don't have any swingers though, you hit it it falls. Never had a bounce back from those.

I went to training at Storm Mtn and they use steel silhouettes. They were angled down but on one shot the instructor was standing right behind me watching my form and the round came back and smacked him in the forehead. He saw it coming and tried to duck but it got him. He laughed it off, left a red spot but that was about it. Now he was wearing safety glasses but if it would have caught him in the eye it could have been bad.

There are over 550 million firearms in worldwide circulation. That's one firearm for every twelve people on the planet. The only question is: How do we arm the other 11? (Yuri Orlov [Nicolas Cage] Lord of War)

I've nee buying 2/3rds IDPA targets for my range made out of T520 or AR500 armor plate. They're expensive, but have held up to a boat load of rounds including rifle and don't have a dent or dimple yet.

The Arntzen portable stands also allow for a downward angle. For my 200 meter target I mounted it on a large spring and it rings like a bell when hit.